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Bhakti yoga is the yoga of love and devotion. The path of bhakti serves to reconnect us with the divine and to reawaken the eternal blissful love that lies within each of our hearts. Bhakti is the ultimate goal of the yoga system, the perfection of yoga. "And of all yogis, he who always abides in me with great faith, worshipping me in transcendental loving service, is most intimately united with me in yoga, and is the highest of all" - Sri Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita Chapter 6 Mantra 47.
This weeks wisdom from the Srimad Bhagavatam
Kirtan Workshop one - CD one - Monday evening September 8th.
The workshop will be held at 345 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst.
7:00 - 8:00 pm - Dinner Party
8:00 - 9:30 pm - Kirtan workshop (theory & practice)
The cost of the evening is $15.00 which includes a complimentary kirtan CD of beautiful Divine chants together with word for word translations for each of the Sanskrit phrases.
The purpose of the workshop is to foster appreciation of kirtan with an emphasis on understanding the meaning behind each of the mantras, analysing the Sanskrit terminology and the meaning of each of the words.
Understanding what you are chanting will enhance your meditation, making the experience sweeter and more meaningful.
Kirtan Meditation: An interactive transcendental musical experience of sacred chants.
Analysis of the Srimad Bhagavatam, the most advanced book of spiritual knowledge known to man.
Fasten your seat belts and prepare yourself for a ride through the universe and beyond, into the Spiritual Sky. 
Mantra meditation workshop - Monday evening September 15th.
Meditation evenings held at 345 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst.
7:00 - 8:00 pm - Dinner Party
8:00 - 9:30 pm - Meditation workshop (theory & practice)
Each of the participants will receive a complimentary
set of meditation beads made from the sacred neem tree.
The cost of the experience is $15 inclusive.
Mantra Meditation: A personal soft chanting of sacred mantras on meditation beads which brings forth the ancient yogic tradition of spiritual sound as an illuminating path to self discovery.
In this workshop you will learn private meditation theory and techniques through the chanting of mantras on meditation beads.
Mantras are sacred sound vibrations composed of transcendental syllables containing great spiritual power or shakti (energy). The proper vibration of these mantras enables us to concentrate and focus this spiritual energy enabling us to experience the wonderful beneficial effects listed below.
The official name of this form of meditation is jappa meditation. By the completion of the workshop you will be fully competent to practice transcendental meditation in your own home after the ways of the great yogis and rishis. Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing. Other than that just bring yourself and prepare yourself for an "out of this world" experience. Some benefits of mantra meditation 1) Relieves stress and anxiety 2) Promotes inner peace & tranquility
3) Fosters good health and well being 4) Increases ability to focus, concentrate & improves learning skills
5) Enhances vitality and increases energy levels 6) Balances the life airs & opens up the cakras 7) Awakens our spirituality & connects us with the Divine.
Introduction to Srimad Bhagavatam seminar Monday evening September 22nd.
Seminar held at 345 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst.
7:00 - 8:00 pm - Dinner Party
8:00 - 9:30 pm - Philosophical discussion. enlarge image
Prepare to take a ride through the universe and beyond, into the spiritual sky. Compiled over five thousand years ago by the great sage Vyasadeva, Srimad Bhagavatam is the most advanced work of spiritual knowledge known to man, the postgraduate study of the science of self-realisation. This vast work, comprising 335 chapters with 18 000 mantras, is a virtual encyclopaedia of yoga, meditation, the mystic arts and the world of transcendence. On the bank of the Ganges (circa 3000 BC) in the assembly of all the great sages and ascetics, the great devotee Sukadeva Goswami speaks the Srimad Bhagavatam to the emperor Maharaja Pariksit, who was awaiting impending death in seven days. Maharaja Pariksit enquires from Sukadeva Goswami about the truth of existence, the path to perfection, and the nature of transcendental reality. The record of their conversation, which lasted without interruption for seven days and seven nights, forms the epic Srimad Bhagavatam, the most beautiful story of the Personality of Godhead.
 Introduction to Caitanya Charitamrita seminar Monday evening September 29th
Seminar held at 345 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst.
7:00 - 8:00 pm - Dinner Party
8:00 - 9:30 pm - Philosophical discussion. enlarge image 
Kirtan Workshop two - CD two - Monday evening July 14th. This is the much anticipated workshop where participants will receive the second kirtan cd in the collection.
The workshop will be held at 345 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst as usual and will follow the same format as with the first gd workshop.
7:00 - 8:00 pm - Dinner Party
8:00 - 9:30 pm - Kirtan workshop (theory & practice)
The cost of the evening is $15.00 which includes the second complimentary kirtan CD of beautiful Divine chants together with word for word translations for each of the Sanskrit phrases.
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared in Mayapur, India, over 500 years ago.
He is Krishna Himself appearing as His own devotee to teach us that we can gain full enlightenment simply by the chanting of Divine sound vibrations (mantras)
Among the many books by His disciples, Krishnadasa Kaviraja’s biography Chaitanya Charitamrita is both a fascinating telling of Sri Chaitanya’s life and a rich blend of deep devotion and robust theology. Bhakti Yoga at our Retreat facility, "Govinda Valley" Situated at the edge of the beautiful Royal National Park just south of Sydney, we have created a beautiful serene Spiritual Retreat, called Govinda Valley where we offer a wonderful and unique opportunity for experiencing a sattvic lifestyle of yoga practice, meditation and spiritual food, to enliven the body, mind and soul.
We warmly invite you to visit us and take part in our regular programs of Bhakti Yoga, which focus on mantra meditation (kirtan) and transcendental discourses in a tranquil, friendly environment. Experience the peace and bliss of yogic absorption, in a setting both isolated and serene, yet only 50 minutes by car from the CBD, 1 hour by train.
Bhakti Yoga Program:
Morning
5.30 Mantra Meditation (japa)
6.00 Spiritual Dialogue
7.00 Kirtan
7.30 Yoga
9.00 Breakfast
 Our daily early morning program embraces the most auspicious and effective time of the day for spiritual activity and potency, allowing you to deepen the benefit derived from your practice. What better way to start your day than with the supreme bliss of spiritual pleasure, surrounded by pristine natural beauty?
Wednesday Evenings
6.00 Kirtan
Bring your friends, bring your instruments and take part in the sublime joy of mantra meditation!
For further information you may wish to visit our website: www.govindavalley.com.au. For further inquiries, please contact us at info@govindavalley.com.au.
Some gracious testimonials from the most important people at Govinda Valley: our guests.
"An idyllic getaway, with lovely gardens, good amenities and the most delicious food,
delivered with care and generous hospitality."
"Set between the ocean and the mountains, Govinda Valley retreat centre is a hidden gem
amongst the tranquil bushland – it's impossible to not relax and melt into the soothing surrounds."
"Beautiful serene environment to take you straight to the heart and beyond."
"A very relaxing and rewarding experience – something totally different"
"The food was wonderful and a real highlight. The accommodation was really comfortable and the staff friendly."
"I had a great stay. What a beautiful setting in the bushland – and a great room for yoga."
"A most peaceful and positive environment. We are going home more knowledgeable and uplifted."
Govinda Valley provides accommodation facilities for up to 72 guests. There are 4 deluxe 2-person rooms with ensuite bathrooms, 10 rooms hosting 4 guests each and 4 rooms with 6-guest capacity. Each of the two guest wings has 2 large communal bathrooms (ladies and men).
The Yoga Hall is invitingly illuminated, endowed with the purity of pristine forest air, this foliage-shaded centerpiece of Govinda Valley is perfect for absorption in yoga and meditation. It is ideally situated according to the ancient Vedic science of vastu (the origin of feng shui), with entrances auspiciously facing east and north.
For a change of atmosphere, a picturesque outdoor amphitheatre offers a natural, tranquil setting for undisturbed sat-sanga.
The retreat dining hall, situated above the main hall, has a capacity of 100 people and provides an enlivening meal-time environment. Partake with relish within or enjoy relaxing balcony dining in the soothing forest breeze.
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